Weissport council member commended for his efforts

A Weissport Councilman was commended for his efforts in clearing the levee of overgrown vegetation on his own time.

Lucy McEvilly of Weissport said she appreciated the efforts of Arland Moyer to clear the levee in the area where she lives.

"Thanks Arlie, I know you did the weed whacking on a Sunday," added McEvilly.

Council Vice President Gene Kershner said that Weissport is waiting to hear if it will be funded to have the levee maintenance done by the Army Corps of Engineers.

"The budget was passed, but we have to wait until we see if we are funded," said Kershner. "It is sorely needed."

Kershner said that back in the 1980s the vegetation had taken over and the town dealt with it by having volunteers cut down the trees from bridge to bridge.

"It would be hard to get that done again by volunteers although the Army Corps would like us to do all we can," said Kershner.

At the last council meeting, Moyer announced that Weissport Council needs funding to save the town from potential flooding should the levee breach anytime in the future. Moyer said that the cost to repair the levee is $201,200, and that Weissport's share is $38,663. The levee repair project is under review by the Army Corps of Engineers for funding, but that Weissport likely will have to apply for its share from the state because the borough does not have the matching funds.

Kershner said that the project likely will not be funded until next year.

Kershner also noted that Council should consider appointing someone to do home inspections. He said that there are two homes in the borough which are in bad shape. He said that one home has had a broken window for the past four years and that the second floor deck is "spongy." He said that the second home has high grass.

"We need to adopt an ordinance that will have the landlord pay for inspections," he said. "We need to hire a code enforcement officer."

Kershner also noted that all landlords should be required to have a property maintenance manager that should live within 20 miles of the borough.

Council also gave approval to Lisa Shiffert to hold the Cody Wentz Memorial Walk and Festival in the Weissport Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20. Shiffert explained that there will be a walk on the canal at 10 a.m. and the band, "Rehab" will perform afterward in the borough park. She said there will be a Chinese auction, bake sale, food and raffle. She said there are bracelets for sale which say, "High on Life. No chemicals necessary." She noted that the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Lehighton High School drug program in memory of her son, Cody Wentz, who died from an overdose of drugs on Nov. 29. He was 19 years old.

"This has happened to too many kids," said Shiffert. She said her son was a happy kid who loved to ride his bike, lift weights and hike. "He got in with the wrong crowd," she said.

She said that she has gone to Harrisburg with other parents who have lost a child through a drug overdose and with State Rep. Doyle Heffley to ask for accountability with prescription medication.

"I never thought I'd have a problem with him," she said. She said her other two children also had drug problems, but that they have gone to drug rehab and have gotten their lives straightened out.